Looking for an extra way to be productive and make a difference on Saturday? How about clearing out your drawers and cabinets of any unused or expired prescription drugs that should be thrown away?

Saturday is National Prescription Drug Takeback Day, during which law enforcement agencies provide a safe way to anonymously dispose of medications as a means to prevent drug misuse and abuse.

“When each of us takes responsibility for safely disposing of medications, we take a meaningful step toward ending the cycle of addiction,” said Jonathan Board, West Virginia First Foundation executive director. “Take Back Day is more than a reminder; it’s a movement toward a healthier West Virginia.”

It’s important to remember these sites cannot accept syringes, other sharp objects or illegal drugs. But anyone who paid attention to the way the substance abuse epidemic started in Northeast Ohio knows a drug does not have to be “illegal” to send someone into a deadly spiral of addiction.

Take a moment Saturday to check whether there are any prescription medications lurking in your homes that should be handed over for disposal. There are several places Mahoning Valley residents can visit to drop off such medications.

In Trumbull County, police departments in Bazetta Township, Liberty Township, the city of Hubbard and the village of Newton Falls are participating.

In Mahoning County, police departments in Austintown Township, Beaver Township, the city of Canfield and at Youngstown State University are participating.

With just a little effort you can remove a potential danger from your homes — perhaps even remove yourself as a target if there is someone who is aware of the contents of your medicine cabinet — and, as Board put it, help us all take another small step forward in this fight.